The Soft Sticks Podcast
Featuring conversations with industry leaders to empower filmmakers as they navigate the ever-evolving film industry landscape. Hear from artistic directors at prestigious film festivals, along with award-winning screenwriters, producers, sound designers, directors, animators and more!
Episode 3: Ruth Estelle
Today’s guest is Ruth Estelle, an award-winning writer.
Ruth is part of the dynamic writing duo at Word Ninjas. She is also the Business and Media Manager for UK business, Emotion Coaching, and was previously a Development and Production Executive at The Mercury.
Ruth has worked across a variety of formats, including TV, animation, feature films, and podcasts. She has also been a member of the Jury for the 2024 Script Swap program and will be joining the Official Selection Jury for the 2025 Adelaide Independent Film Festival.
Wishes: Windows & Nests, a short animation co-written by Ruth, won Best Short Film Production of the Year at the 2025 Screen Producers Australia Awards. Ruth’s latest project, OK Boomer - a feature film co-written with Pete Monaghan - is due to go into production soon.
In today’s episode, Ruth shares why she believes pitching is, in part, just a conversation and what she gained from her two-year mentorship with story consultant, Michael Hauge. Ruth also discusses what screenwriters should prioritise when seeking development funding from Screen Australia or state funding bodies like the South Australian Film Corporation.
Ruth Estelle
Writer
Tom Kerby
Host, Soft Sticks Podcast
Photos by Louise Calderon
Episode 2: Carlos Manrique Clavijo
Today’s guest is Carlos Manrique Clavijo, an animation creative producer and sound designer.
Carlos is also the co-founder of Karu-Karu Animations and serves as the South Australian Representative of the Australian Screen Sound Guild. He has also been a member of the Jury for the Adelaide Independent Film Festival.
Carlos' latest short film, Wishes: Windows & Nests, recently won Best Short Film Production of the Year at the 2025 Screen Producers Australia Awards.
In this episode, Carlos discusses what filmmakers should prioritise when seeking development or production funding from Screen Australia or state funding bodies like the South Australian Film Corporation. Carlos explains why he views his colleagues as mentors and encourages filmmakers to see rejection as an opportunity for self-development.
Carlos Manrique Clavijo
Animation Creative Producer & Sound Designer
Tom Kerby
Host, Soft Sticks Podcast
Photos by Louise Calderon
Episode 1: Al Cossar
Today’s guest is Al Cossar, the Artistic Director of the Melbourne International Film Festival.
Al discusses what inspired him to pursue a career in the film industry and how he got started. Al highlights what filmmakers should focus on when submitting their short films to academy-accredited festivals, such as MIFF, and explains how MIFF Industry functions within the Australian film industry.
The Melbourne International Film Festival takes place between 7 - 24 August 2025. More information can be found at miff.com.au
Biography
Al Cossar is the Artistic Director of the Melbourne International Film Festival, where he has previously held roles of Programmer, Acting Artistic Director, and Associate Artistic Director.